Janae

I am not as strict as some of the others. My doctor says 20 g of carbs a day but I just can't do it. I eat between 30-40 a day. I eat Protein first about 90% of the time but sometimes there is something that I really want so I will have a couple of bites first. Also, if I have stalled for a few days, I will eat higher carb for a day or two to "reset" my system. The first doctor I went to suggested this (when I was going to have the lap band - thank God I didn't do it) and I think it makes a lot of sense. I have never just "gone off" and binged like I used to do. My doctor recommends 24 g of fat a day; sometimes I eat more than that. I still like to have something sweet at night and will have 10 M&Ms or a fun-sized bar sometimes. That is really all I want. It satisfies my sweet tooth. I could never have done that pre-sleeve! I am about two and a half months out and have lost 43 lbs.

I get that feeling in the evening and sometimes in the middle of the night. I know it is the over-production of acid in my stomach. I take a PPI every night and Pepcid AC whenever I get "that feeling." That's what works for me! Hopefully the acid will reduce as I get further and further out from surgery.

Girl, you are recovering from major freakin' surgery!! Don't worry about exercise this soon. My doctor said start walking at 4 weeks, full exercise at 8 weeks. You need your energy for healing right now!

Congratulations Li'; Red Raider!!! that is incredibly awesome!! Way to work that sleeve!!! It is obvious that you are doing the right things and will be at goal in no time. (BTW, did/do you go to Texas Tech?)

Congrats!! Sometimes it takes dynomite to budge that scale!

I have waited for years for a weight loss surgery that didnt involve rerouting the intestines. I worked for general surgeons for several years who reversed many, many RNY's. There are a lot of long term complications from malabsorbtion and structures. I had no desire to live like that. I believe that the VSG will become the "gold standard" of WLS because of the low complication rate.

Congratulations on a terrific NSV!! I wish I could have seen your husband's face --- priceless!!

Way to go! Sounds like you are doing a great job of working through the toughest part - dealing with head hunger. I commend you for reading the book mentioned and working through it. I really thing getting the sleeve is the easier part (not that it was truly easy!) - dealing with the "why we overeat" is the bigger long-term problem. Sounds like you are well on your way. I am going to take your suggestion and order the book today! What are you doing as far as modifying your diet? I follow my doctors guidelines of 3 meals per day, 12-20 g. protein, 5 g. carbs and 6 g. fats. I'm not perfect but I do the best I can and don't beat myself up over thr=e rest!

My vote is in too! I really hope you win!!!

I live in Friendswood, asuburb of Houston. I am only aware of hospital-based programs. I would love to meet with others who have been sleeved to discuss mutual challenges and successes! Anyone else?

I love my CPAP too! I was diagnosed a few years ago and it has made such a difference in my well-being. It took a few days to get used to but I found if I got that "suffocating" feeling, I could just break the seal between the mask and my face with my finger and the feeling went away. I knew that, even if I was breaking the seal with my finger, eventually I would fall asleep, my finger would drop, and the seal would reoccur. That is exactly what happened. After about a month or so, I was completely aclimated to it but it only took 3 days of using it before I felt so much better! I will keep using the CPAP until I know for certain that I no longer need it. Good luck to you!

I just broke my stall by only eating Protein for 3 days - deli meat, chicken and tuna salad with fat free mayo (only a teaspoon or so), eggs. Low fat, low carb meals. You might want to give it a try.

I have had this same problem. For me, it is acid. I take Protonix once a day and Pepcid AC every time I eat.. I sometimes have to take a Pepcid at bedtime also b/c I get that "hungry" feeling. Once I take the Pepcid, it goes away in 15-20 minutes. My doc said the acid production takes several months to decrease to match the amount of food I am now eating.

I drink sugar-free kool-aid b/c Crystal Light gave me headaches. You might try this also.

Congrats, Brian!! You sound like an awesome guy who is reaping the benefits of the sleeve. Best of luck to you and your new lady friend. She is lucky to have you!

bigTom, Tthank you so much for your honesty. I was sleeved on 3/10 and had similar feelings for the first 4 weeks or so. However, now that I am fully recovered from the surgery itself, I can honestly say that I no longer wake up with a multitude of aches and pains. I have a lot more energy than before surgery and have started walking for exercise. I sincerely hope you too pass through the "mourning phase." It has been hard giving up my good friends, processed carbohydrates, but I feel I am over the hump and looking forward to a better life. Don't get me wrong, I still slip up ocassionally, and have a long way to go. I just don't think about the way I used to eat in the same light anymore. Best of luck to you on your journey!

I am a side sleeper and have slept on either side since having surgery, even at the hospital. My right side was a bit more sore, but it didn't interfere with my sleep at all. I didn't need any pain meds at home.

8 Weeks Since Surgery B - protein shake 45 g. L - 1/4 omlette with veggies 2 g. S - chili 18 g. D - chili or chicken salad 18 g. V - Already done W - Drinking like a sailor on leave! E - Date with the treadmill tonite!

Happy thoughts sent your way!!! As I scooted over from the gurney to the operating table, I was sure I would never wake up from anesthesia. And yet, here I am, lovin' my sleeve!!

I still can't get all of my protein from food so I drink a protein shake every morning. You could try eating every 2 hours but it may be difficult getting fluids in in-between. I'm not sweating it - just doing the best I can!

I have been coaching myself from way before my surgery date to eat my protein first. Always, always, always! I know for me that, if I am eating more than 30 carbs a day, I don't lose weight. Do you drink any protein drinks? I drink Gladiator from Smoothie King (I buy the powder there). It has 45 g of protein in 2 scoops, which I put in 4 oz water, 2 sweet and low, 5 cubes of ice and 4 strawberries. Then blend. If you always have protein first, you most likely wont have room for many carbs. Go back to the basics to get back on track!

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet but whenever I have tried low carb diets in the past, I would have diarrhea on the 2nd or 3rd day. After that I would be fine. Good luck as you lose those pounds for the final time!

I was a practice administrator for general surgeons for 4 years. We routinely "undid" RNY surgeries because of complications. I swore then and there that I would never have that procedure done. Most of the patients had regained the weight they had lost and then had complications on top of that. I have been waiting for years for a procedure that made sense to me. The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is it, I was sleeved 6 1/2 weeks ago You coulndn't have paid me to have a RNY. Althought I continue to have acid problems, despite taking protonix, pepcid AC and Tums, I love my sleeve!

Dr Marvin was my surgeon also. You can get a lot of info from his website doctormarvin.com. I had seen another surgeon about having a lap band so I too missed some of the steps with Dr Marvin. He recommends 3 meals a day with12- 20 grams of Protein, 5 grams of carbs and 6 grams of fat. I drink a Protein shake in the morning (Gladiator from smoothie King, 45 grams of protein). Next is my first meal around 11 a.m. Again at 2-3 p.m. and final meal around 5-6 p.m. Hope this helps!

You may want to check with your gyno about that. When you start out of the blue like that it can be caused by a variety of factors. It just happened to my friend. She had to have a D&C, during which a polyp was discovered. Still waiting for the pathology report. Just sayin' .....